My hand spun yarn.

You're invited to visit me at my new blog Buckingham Road to see my latest creation - my hand spun yarn from Aries (a blended Merino tops).

I hope it inspires some of you knitters to give spinning a try!

Sam xox

Can I call myself a spinner yet?

Last week I was fortunate enough to find an Ashford wheel for very cheep. As I am new to this hobby I did not want to invest much money in my first wheel, but did hope that for the small price I paid I wouldn't be receiving a total lemon.  Luckily for me, after doing some simple maintenance on the wheel (new hooks, leather piece, string, and a bit of oil) it is running smoothly. I did a little research and believe this wheel was made circa 1975, judging by this timeline. 

What I was most excited about was that it was a vintage Ashford wheel. Ashford is a New Zealand company, that was founded by Walter Ashford in 1934. Ashford designed flat pack wheels for people to use during war time and following there after. It has evolved to become a leading producer of top quality spinning and weaving equipment.

 ~ One must wear an apron when spinning ~

 ~ Beautiful fleece from a merino sheep in Oberon ~

I have been teaching myself to spin via youtube videos, online articles and books. The skill of spinning is evolving slowly. I have mastered the motion of the treadle, however my grafting leaves a lot to be desired! My yarn is spinning well sometimes, and other times it is over spun and twists up too much. I am troubleshooting this problem and can see I am getting better and stopping this happening. 

~ Some twisty bits in there! ~

Practice makes perfect right? 

But the good news is I very much enjoy it and look forward to when my skills improve.

It is also important to note: spinning (like any other fabric/yarn craft) appears to be a cat magnet. But even more so when the slight scent of sheep is in the air...

Sam xox

Come in spinner.

My appreciation for fine quality wool has grown alongside my love affair with knitting. Extra fine merino... baby alpaca... Shetland wool... All so lovely against the skin and far more inviting than the typical acrylic sold at my local Spotlight. While I move and loop the beautiful yarns in my hands, my mind traces over the journey these fibres have had before they reach my needles. The process of making wool into knitting yarn. This lead me to toy with the idea of spinning my own wool. 

I took action. On Saturday I became a member of my local Spinners and Weavers Guild!

After some googling and a few emails I found the group and was warming invited to attend their meeting (which also happened to be their Annual General Meeting!). When I arrived at the Community Hall I was greeted with the sound of treadling wooden wheels, chatter and laughter. Pikelets, an assortment of cakes, and cups of tea were spread out across the high table squeezed tightly into the hall kitchen. I watched as the ladies each took a turn at show and tell, and I learnt about a unique breed of New Zealand sheep that can be shorn every six months (the name of the breed escapes me at this very moment). 

The Guild ladies were all very welcoming and patiently answered my 1001 questions. I was supplied with a bag of fleece (fresh from the sheep!) for practicing purposes, a spinning wheel to borrow and a book on loan from the Guild library.

I am set up to spin!

~ My first fleece for practice ~

~ Combing the wool in preparation for spinning ~

~ A small amount of white wool I was also gifted. Preparing to be washed ~

After a few hours of practice I am beginning to see some progress. My treadling is beginning to become smooth and I am achieving a few meters at a time of well spun wool - in between these meters are quite a lot of mistakes ;-)

Sam xox